Do you use swear words, cuss words, or bad words when you write fiction? If you’re writing picture books, no. But as your audience gets older and older, they start to creep into fiction.
Guidelines for Using Swear Words in Fiction
There are a couple schools of thought about using swear words in your fiction.
I understand this viewpoint, but it almost seems like the author is saying, “It’s not MY fault that character habitually swears.” But if you’re the author, it IS your fault that you put that character in this book. On the other hand, though, this all smacks of self-censoring, something we all wrestle with.
“Skies!”
“Rust!”
In context, these are probably mild swear words. In the character’s dialogue, the purpose of swear words is to express extreme emotions. Swear words do that with economy, even invented ones. Isn’t that hypocritical, though? The emotions behind real or invented swear words is the same. Within the context of the story, isn’t that invented word just as bad as a real swear word?
I don’t have any answers. Just questions and issues to raise.
Personally, I’d love to ban all swear words from adults! But swear words are a shortcut to emotions, and I understand when people swear, even if I don’t like it. In my own fiction, I’d rather invent a swear word than use a popular swear word; but beyond that, I’d rather take the time to dramatize the emotions than to use even an invented swear word. The shortcut of swear words isn’t worth it to me. Instead, I’ll just work harder to convey one of these 63 emotions without swear words.
Set Your Own Boundaries
In the end, I think each author must decide what line to draw in the sand. The key thing to remember is that words have impact. An apt word especially has a HUGE IMPACT. This video expresses it in a unique way.
If you can’t see this video, click here.
So, do you use swear words in your fiction? Do you self-censor when you allow those words into your story? Where do you stand on the Swear Words continuum?
I’m so tired of hearing swear words! So many people who use them seem to be unable to express themselves in any other way. The picture of the woman with the purple face, fangs and the blood red mouth is excellent! That’s what people look like when they swear! I’m for banning them!